that was very nice despite the fact that the various news organizations love to make a story out of those that don't want to curtsey. So, even if Samantha Cameron doesn't like to do it, it's nice to see she at least did it once.

that was very nice despite the fact that the various news organizations love to make a story out of those that don't want to curtsey. So, even if Samantha Cameron doesn't like to do it, it's nice to see she at least did it once.

Even though I would never curtsey to anyone, (it's just too strange a concept in Israeli thinking; even the Americans find us more egalitarian than they are ) I still can not conceive how the wife of the PM could refuse to curtsey to the Head of State in a Constitutional Monarchy. I was not aware Samantha Cameron disliked curtseying to the Queen. I believe Cherie Blair did not curtsey; if I am mistaken, could someone please correct me? Thank you.

In the West, the only thing the Monarch is inferior to is death. Therefore you pay respect to the dead with bowing your head and that is why HM bowed her head at Dianas coffin. it is like in the military, you salute the rank, not the person.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kasumi

Why would a reigning monarch bow to a princess?
Is Wiki a reliable source?

Does anyone have a picture of Elizabeth ii bowing at Diana's coffin?It says on her wiki that she did.

The Royal Family was gathered outside Buckingham Palace and as Diana's coffin passed by the Queen bowed her head.
I can't find a picture in a Google Images search but it was shown in the live broadcast at the time.

The Royal Family was gathered outside Buckingham Palace and as Diana's coffin passed by the Queen bowed her head.
I can't find a picture in a Google Images search but it was shown in the live broadcast at the time.

I remember seeing that. Did the Queen bow to Diana or to the Royal Standard on the coiffin?

The Royal Family was gathered outside Buckingham Palace and as Diana's coffin passed by the Queen bowed her head.
I can't find a picture in a Google Images search but it was shown in the live broadcast at the time.

I remember seeing that. Did the Queen bow to Diana or to the Royal Standard on the coiffin?

The Queen bowed to Diana, not to the Royal Standard. It's not as unusual as one would think. For example, when Princess Beatrice, (Queen Victoria's daughter) was laid to rest in St. George's Chapel, Windsor, both Queen Elizabeth (this was the future QM as the Princess died in 1944) and Queen Ena of Spain, as the highest ranking mourners, curtseyed as the Princess's coffin was lowered into the vault. As HM knew she would not be going to the burial, I have always been told that she bowed in respect in place of the curtsey she would have made if Diana had been buried in Royal ground when the cortege passed, saluting both Diana's rank as mother to a future King as well as the duties Diana carried out when she was a full member of the BRF.

I am sure there are members here who would know the exact protocol far better than I, but that was also the opinion of Hugo Vickers, and he usually knows whereof he speaks.

It is the Anglican tradition to bow one's head as ANY coffin passes by. It can be on the street, in a church or when remains are viewed either in state or in repose. The Queen would do this if she were on the street and our coffin passed by.

Her bow had nothing to do with Diana's status, other than being a human.

It is the Anglican tradition to bow one's head as ANY coffin passes by. It can be on the street, in a church or when remains are viewed either in state or in repose. The Queen would do this if she were on the street and our coffin passed by.

Her bow had nothing to do with Diana's status, other than being a human.

The BBC coverage certainly did not think this was the case and indeed remarked that the only other time the Queen had been seen bowing her head was at the Cenotaph. As Tom Fleming was certainly part of the Establishment, I don't think the bow would have elicited the response that it did if it were just the normal protocol at any and every Church of England funeral.